The Oakland Raiders hire offensive coordinator Hue Jackson to take over the reigns as their new head coach. Jackson helped improve an anemic offense last season, ending the season ranked 6th in total offense. Jackson was the obvious hire, as maintaining a level of continuity on the offensive side of the ball was key for the Raiders as they develop into a perennial playoff and title contender, something that Jackson guaranteed (at his press conference) would take place, starting next season.

One thing is for certain, owner Al Davis believes he has the “right guy” this time around stating, ” the fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider Nation.” Davis is a hands-on type of owner, who is never at ease, unless he feels he has the right personnel in place to lead him and the Raiders’ organization back to the promise land, which means he’s been on shaky grounds ever since the beginning of the 2003 season.

With the hiring of Jackson, Davis believes that he and his head coach will be on the same page for years to come, unlike previous head coaches Tom Cable and Lane Kiffin. The Raiders have a number of issues to tackle if they look to improve on their first non-losing season (8-8) in several years. Will they be able to sign key free agents, like pro bowlers Nnamdi Asomugha and Richard Seymour? Will they bring in quality free agents on both sides of the ball, and will there be some turnover in the coaching staff?

Whatever takes place in Oakland this off-season, look for Davis’s fingerprints to be over every decision made. We always question Davis for everything Raiders’ related over the last several years. Why did you hire this guy? Why did you draft this guy? Why did you fire this guy? But he is responsible for the Raiders 2010 NFL draft class, free agent acquisitions over the last three years, and this time around, he just might have picked the right general in Jackson to lead his troops. This will be an interesting era for the Raiders and Raider Nation!